President & CEO

Robert Sterling Clark Foundation (RSCF) supports the people and organizations working to build a more just, equitable, and vibrant New York City. A private foundation with a strong commitment to leadership development, it invests in the people who lead change and the relationships that help them do their work well.

The foundation practices trust-based philanthropy through sustained relationships with grantee partners, flexible support, and a willingness to listen and learn. Its approach recognizes that nonprofit leaders understand their organizations and communities, and that a funder can be most useful when it responds to their priorities. Alongside grants, the foundation offers opportunities for peer learning, convening, and connection.

Robert Sterling Clark Foundation has helped advance trust-based philanthropy nationally while maintaining a strong focus on New York City. Its small team works closely with nonprofit leaders and philanthropic peers to share learning and strengthen the sector. The foundation is also exploring how its investment portfolio can more fully support its mission with an expansion to impact investing.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the President & CEO will lead the foundation through its next chapter. During the past decade, under the leadership of Phil Li, RSCFhas deepened its commitment to supporting leadership, promoting equity, and defining and expanding trust-based philanthropy. Through practices including sustained collaboration with grantee partners and providing support "beyond the check", RSCF has emerged as a more relational, adaptive, and values-led institution.

The next leader will build on this work and bring a curiosity about what is possible and the ability to develop a shared direction with trustees and staff. This is an opportunity to build on trusted relationships and a distinctive approach to philanthropy while examining how the foundation can have the greatest impact in the years ahead.

The President & CEO will oversee strategy, grantmaking, staff leadership, financial stewardship, and external engagement. Success will require comfort moving among these responsibilities: speaking on the national stage about trust-based philanthropy or non-profit leadership development, listening to a grantee, coaching a colleague, reviewing a budget, and helping the board make consequential decisions. The foundation seeks a leader who combines emotional intelligence with sound judgment, clear expectations, and consistent follow-through.

• Work with the board and staff to articulate the foundation’s next phase of strategy, drawing on its leadership development work, grantee relationships, and learning from the field.
• Translate that strategy into clear priorities, realistic plans, and shared goals. Help trustees assess progress, understand tradeoffs, and make timely decisions.
• Build a candid, productive relationship with the board chair and individual trustees. Prepare clear materials, communicate emerging issues early, and follow through on decisions.
• Bring together differing perspectives, address disagreement directly and respectfully, and clarify the respective responsibilities of governance and management.

• Guide grantmaking with staff and the board, ensuring that funding decisions reflect the foundation’s mission, available resources, and understanding of community needs.
• Sustain trust-based practices through accessible communication, meaningful relationships, and support that respects grantees’ expertise and time.
• Maintain direct relationships with grantee partners and participate in learning conversations, convenings, and other…